People Who Taught Me to Dream

Anurak grew up without a father in rural Thailand, but the encouragement of a sponsor, a caring teacher and his local Compassion centre helped shape his future. Today, as he prepares for a role in provincial administration, Anurak reflects on the people who taught him to dream and never give up.

Anurak is looking through his books, files, photos and sponsor’s letters that he kept. He is sitting inside the chapel where he used to participate in Compassion program activities.

Finding hope at the Compassion centre

It is a vivid memory: I think I was around five or six when my mother took me to the Compassion centre for the first time. It wasn’t too long after my father had passed away. My mother was still mourning, and I was too young to understand how sad she was and what she had to do to raise me. I only remember how excited I was every weekend to go to the Compassion Centre.  

We had many classes there, and I loved to learn about Jesus’ story and other stories in the Bible. They helped me understand the principles from the Bible, and I think it kept me walking the line of Christianity.  

We had things to look forward to every weekend. I think our programme was similar to most other Compassion centres, and my forever favorite activity was colouring. Whenever I did Art class, my imagination took me to many dreams. I felt loved and cared for by my volunteer teacher and the way he taught us made us feel very comfortable; he never yelled at us like some teachers at school and his tone of voice and his character were those of a very gentle guy.   

Art inspired me to dream of what I want to be. When they taught us about “My dream for tomorrow”, I remember how the art teacher taught us to imagine. Then I began drawing pictures—I wanted to be an architect.   

I graduated from the Sponsorship programme when I finished vocational college (equivalent to high school). Because of the inspiration from my art teacher, I chose to study a Diploma of Architecture to pursue my dream.

Anurak is looking at the  “Dream for Tomorrow" he wrote as a child. 

The sponsor who became like family 

My most precious memories are of the people who influenced me. 

I’m thankful for every moment during my time in the Compassion sponsorship programme. I had a good childhood because of the people around me, not only the memory of activities and how much the centre staff cared for us. My most precious memory is of my sponsor and how he made me feel that I have a complete family.  

I had a picture of Scott, and in the picture he was dressed as an American footballer. He wore jersey number 41. As a kid, I felt he was super cool. He sponsored me when he had just married, and then he had children. I felt like we were family because we shared our lives, families and thoughts for years through letters.  

The centre director would call children’s names on a microphone, telling them to come and get their sponsor letters, and I always heard my name.

A gift that shaped our future 

My sponsor always wrote to me, and he always sent gifts for my birthday and at Christmas. As a kid, I was always excited about what my gift each time would be! 

One gift in particular changed our perspective of our lives. It was a calf. Scott sent a gift for me and my mother to buy a calf. From there, we learnt to set goals for our finances and income.  

My sponsor always encouraged me and prayed for me. He told me in one letter, “When you grow up, be a good man.” I held those words in my heart, and every time I felt my life wasn’t going the way I drew it in my dream. 

The key people in my life, like my Art teacher and my sponsor … I wanted to be like them. And the person I want to thank the most is Scott. Because he sponsored me, I had hope, and I am doing well today

Anurak is standing inside the building that used to be the center's office. 

Holding onto the dream

My life has had many ups and downs. I learnt how to be a good person and love God from the Compassion Centre. I learnt to dream and pursue my ambition from the people in my life, such as the Art teacher and my sponsor.   

But life isn’t always beautiful, like how I drew a picture as a child. Nevertheless, I completed my dream for a short while. I worked as an architecture assistant for a bit. Then, I changed many jobs along the way.

Anurak is now a government official in his Thai province, and feels the weight of being the only Christian in his workplace.

I was once a “red bus” (Chiangmai taxi) driver. But I kept dreaming and never gave up. Today, I am graduating with a bachelor’s degree in political science and will be an officer at the Department of Provincial Administration.  

I desire to serve, help, and be a voice for my community’s people and the young generation. 

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